COPE Inc.

07/29/2025

✨ Feeling Seen. Feeling Grateful. Feeling Purposeful. ✨

I’m elated and deeply honored to have been featured in several online magazines this month in recognition of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. To be seen as a trusted voice and expert in the field of mental health—particularly as it relates to underserved and minority communities—is both humbling and affirming.

For years, I’ve poured my heart into this work—advocating, educating, and walking alongside those who often feel unseen in their pain. This recognition isn’t just about me. It’s a reflection of every client who dared to heal, every community that gave me a platform, and every mentor who reminded me that my voice matters.

This visibility reminds me that representation in mental health is not optional—it’s necessary. Our communities deserve access to culturally competent care, safe spaces to process trauma, and leaders who look like them and get it.

Thank you to the publications that continue to amplify stories that matter. Let’s keep breaking stigmas, building bridges, and making healing accessible.

07/29/2025

Thank you for shedding light on mental health! ❤️

07/19/2025

We will be giving away over 500 FREE tickets! That’s right FREE! Sponsorship tickets are available NOW! Find out more details: link in bio

07/19/2025

We will be giving away over 500 FREE tickets! That’s right FREE! Sponsorship tickets are available NOW! Find out more details: https://www.dontwannamiss.com/get-tickets

07/18/2025

📝 Note from a Therapist:
People-pleasing isn’t kindness. It’s self-abandonment dressed up as compassion.

So often, we bend, stretch, and shrink ourselves to make others comfortable, thinking we’re doing them a favor. But let’s be honest: what we’re really doing is avoiding discomfort. We’re choosing peace around us, at the cost of the peace within us.

Here’s the truth, saying “yes” when your mind is screaming “no” isn’t noble. It’s harmful. Not just to you, but to the authenticity of your relationships.

People-pleasing often stems from a lack of courage, not a surplus of love. Setting boundaries isn’t mean. It’s mature. Saying no doesn’t make you difficult. It makes you honest.

Give yourself permission to stop over-explaining, over-giving, and over-functioning.
You’re allowed to disappoint others in order to stay true to yourself.

07/10/2025

🎭 ROUND TWO AUDITIONS – CASE CLOSED 🎬
We’re almost fully cast, but we still need a few more talented individuals to bring this powerful story to life!

📣 Now Casting the Following Paid Roles:
👧🏾 2 Female Children – Ages 8–10 and 11–13
👦🏽 2 Male Children – Ages 8–10 and 15–18
👩🏽‍⚕️ Shelter Director – Female, Age 30s–50s
👮🏽 Police Officer – Male or Female, Adult
🩺 Doctor – Male or Female, Adult

Case Closed: The Stage Play is based on the true story of Casondra Burkley—a journey from trauma to triumph. The production will be free to the community and serves as a fundraiser to turn this powerful play into a feature film.

🎤 No experience needed—just heart, passion, and the willingness to be part of a movement that merges faith, healing, and mental health awareness.

📅 Audition Details:
July 20, 2025, 4 PM-See flyer for details. Registration required.

https://www.dontwannamiss.com/caseclosedaudition

Let’s make history on stage—and soon, on screen.

06/24/2025

📝Note from a Therapist:

I’ll admit it—asking for help hasn’t always come easy for me. And accepting it? Even harder.
But carrying everything alone led me straight to burnout and frustration. This season, I’m choosing to do things differently. I’m being intentional about asking and accepting support.

Because the truth is—we can’t grow and build alone.

If you’re like me and this is an area of struggle, I challenge you:

Take the leap. Lighten your load. Let your village show up for you.

06/17/2025

📝 Note from a Therapist:
Life has a way of stirring up emotions and thought patterns that we didn’t even realize were buried and lying dormant.

Triggers don’t just come from trauma — they can come from change, success, stress, or even joy. When these thoughts and feelings surface, don’t brush them off.

Be intentional.
Pause.
Reflect.
Unpack.

What we ignore, we carry. What we face, we can heal.

06/11/2025

Too often, decisions at the top of an organization are made by people who’ve never stepped foot into the field. And while strategy and data matter, nothing replaces firsthand experience. Executives need to know the work they lead.

As the CEO of Conquering the Obstacles of Painful Experiences (C.O.P.E.), I make it a priority to stay connected to the work my team does every day. I don’t have to—I choose to.

This week, I lost my voice and could barely speak, but I knew I couldn’t miss this group. It was our first time facilitating a mental health group for children at one of the apartment complexes we partner with. Thankfully, my amazing intern led most of the session, and I was able to support where I could.

The group was called “The Importance of Expressing Your Feelings.” The kids walked in hesitant, disengaged, and unsure. But by the end, they were begging for a turn to participate. Watching their transformation from withdrawn to fully engaged was both powerful and refreshing.

One parent stayed in the room the entire time. As we talked, she shared that before moving into the complex, she and her four children were homeless. She’s now been stable for a year. Hearing her story reminded me of my why. I, too, experienced homelessness as a child—but I didn’t have a C.O.P.E. in my life to help me process all the emotions I carried.

I don’t do this work because I have to. I do it because I get to.

To every executive leading people-centered organizations: I challenge you—step outside the boardroom and into the field. The work looks different up close.

06/09/2025

05/28/2025

🎭 AUDITIONS NOW OPEN!
Be part of something powerful. We’re casting for Case Closed, a soul-stirring stage play based on the true story of Casondra Burkley—a journey from trauma to triumph that’s touching hearts and transforming lives.

🎬 This isn’t just entertainment—it’s mental health in motion. We’re using the stage to spotlight healing, identity, and restoration through the power of storytelling.

This production will be FREE to the community and serves as a movement, not just a moment. We’re raising the curtain AND raising funds to turn this story into a full-length film.

✨ Actors, singers, dancers, musicians, and volunteers wanted!
No experience needed—just heart, dedication, and a desire to make impact.

🎤 Come join the cast. Change lives. Help bring this vision to the big screen.

Registration: https://www.dontwannamiss.com/caseclosedaudition (link in bio)